Business

Major/Minor

The Business program prepares tomorrow's business leaders with the skills today's employers are actively seeking: team building, persuasive communication, active listening, conflict resolution, and constructive criticism; in addition to providing a strong foundation in economics, marketing, management, accounting and finance.

Courses

Begins with the learner developing a profile of her ideal work experience and explores how that ideal may be met through a career in business. Placing the learner in the role of a new business entrepreneur, the course exposes the learner to all the disciplinary aspects of starting a new business (management, marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, legal and economics) by focusing on the tasks that must be accomplished. This hands-on approach to starting and running a business exposes students to the complex world of the small business entrepreneur and helps them determine which area of business they wish to study in depth. [3 credits]

Data Analysis for Business Decisions: BUS-225 (3 credits)

Emphasizes the foundation areas of data management, interpretation, and analysis. The course focuses on methods to manage and explain data, describe and interpret data quantitatively using statistical techniques, and apply the results to make better management decisions. Data Analysis involves using statistical methods to understand and interpret data acquired in business applications. In this course students will learn techniques to manage data using Excel tools, explain data through charts and graphs, and describe and interpret data in probabilistic terms.

Financial Accounting: BUS-253 (3 credits)

Introduces principles and practices leading to the preparation of a balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flow. Presents the basics of accounting principles and its applications in the business world. The course explores the concepts and techniques of accounting for individual proprietorships and corporations. [3 credits]

Managerial Accounting: BUS-254 (3 credits)

Builds on material covered in the Financial Accounting course. Focuses on understanding and developing managerial accounting skills that help analyze the cost of production in a manufacturing environment. The course introduces the topics of budgeting, planning and controlling of costs in a business operation. Prerequisite: BUS-253 or BUS-211. [3 credits]

Principles of Marketing: BUS-303 (3 credits)

This course introduces the language of marketing the strategic marketing process. While formulating viable marketing strategies for diverse business situations, learners will gain experience gathering and analyzing industry and market data, as well as implementing core-marketing concepts such as market segmentation, targeting, positioning,and the marketing mix in the formulation and implementation of real-world marketing strategies. This course culminates in the development of a marketing plan for a new product, service or retail establishment. [ 3 credits ]

The Legal Environment of Business I: BUS-304 (3 credits)

Explores the legal environment of business, including contracts, implications of the Constitution and our structure of government, sales and employment law, legal substitutes for money, consumer and creditor protection including bankruptcy, and types of business organizations. Focuses on the implications of law for the business leader and practical ways to track changes in the law. [3 credits]

The Legal Environment of Business II: BUS-305 (3 credits)

Builds on material covered in Legal Environment of Business I. It explores commercial paper, debtor-creditor relations, real property and estates, accountants' liability and secured transactions. In addition, students examine the legal aspects of the various business forms in greater detail. Prerequisite: BUS-304 or permission of chair. [3 credits]

Professional Communications: BUS-310 (3 credits)

Explores communications contexts within organizations and refines written and oral communications skills used in business and professional settings. Emphasizes appropriateness, effectiveness, and nuance while taking into consideration situation, audience, and delivery mode. Learners use common business communications tools and technologies as well as social media. Prerequisite: ENG-101 or IDS-100 (honors section). [3 credits]

Teamwork and Negotiation: BUS-334 (3 credits)

Analyzes the dynamics, structure and function of teams in businesses and other organizations. Examines the framework and components of conflict resolution and negotiation in both organizational and personal situations. Learners will assess and strengthen key interpersonal skills. This course utilizes role active learning pedagogy extensively including role plays, small group exercises, and simulations. [3 credits]

Corporate Tax Accounting: BUS-341 (3 credits)

Focuses on federal tax laws as they apply to corporations, S corporations, partnerships and estates. Students examine tax analysis and determination for management decision making, filing requirements for estates and trusts, and choosing an entity selection to minimize tax liability. Prerequisite: BUS-212 or BUS-254. [3 credits]

International Business: BUS-350 (3 credits)

Critically analyzes factors affecting business operations in the global marketplace. It introduces theories and practical strategies for evaluating constraints and opportunities resulting from economic, cultural, legal, and ethical differences to political and financial realities at home and abroad. Also provides hands-on opportunities for analyzing international business opportunities, developing international competitive strategies, and for comparing and contrasting different entry modes. Prerequisites: ECO-211 or ECO-212. Fulfills general education requirement in cross-cultural studies. [3 credits]

Business Research: BUS-360 (3 credits)

Introduces students to key sources of secondary data and basic research methods that enable them to define the research problem, develop the research plan, collect, evaluate and organize relevant information, develop findings and conclusions and recommend a preferred course of action supported by analysis. Students will learn core primary research concepts such as how to locate key industry and customer information via secondary databases as well as to design an electronic survey and conduct a focus group. [ 3 credits ]

Leading Innovation and Change: BUS-406 (3 credits)

Examines the core problems organizations and individuals face as they move through the dynamic processes of innovation and change. Students will identify highly successful change efforts and evaluate the strategies and techniques used. The key issues of changing behaviors, overcoming resistance to change and the role of leaders and followers in the process will be important themes. [ 3 credits ]

Auditing: BUS-412 (3 credits)

Explores principles and practices of auditing through use of problems, questions and specimen working papers applicable to a balance sheet audit. Emphasizes techniques and routine procedures by applying the principles to a realistic audit. Prerequisites: BUS-212 or BUS-254, accounting concentration or permission of chair. [3 credits]

Managing Financial Resources: BUS-416 (3 credits)

Provides students with an overview of the accounting and financial tools necessary for managers. Addresses the development and analysis of basic financial statements, the development of budgets (both operating and capital), and other techniques of financial analysis for management decision making. Prerequisite: general education mathematics requirement. Business majors may not take this course; students who have taken BUS-261 may not take this course. [3 credits]

Advanced Accounting Theory I: BUS-421 (3 credits)

Focuses on more complex topics in financial accounting. Emphasizes accounting theories and practices used in partnerships, business combinations and consolidations. Prerequisite: BUS-338. [3 credits]

Advanced Business Policy: BUS-432 (3 credits)

Provides opportunities for students to apply knowledge gained from their core business courses to the formulation, implementation and evaluation of strategic management initiatives through case studies of specific organizations. Designed as a capstone experience. Prerequisites: BUS-302, BUS-303, BUS-321 and senior standing. [3 credits]

Socially Responsible and Sustainable Practices -: BUS-436 (3 credits)

Studies and analyzes the increasing pressures on organizations to make the right decisions by acting in ways that benefit society and reduce negative environmental impacts. Students will complete research on organizations that use sustainable and responsible models; utilize case studies to identify current and best practices; and develop guiding principles for decision making. [3 credits]

International Finance: BUS-442 (3 credits)

Examines opportunities and risks associated with international finance. Studies the international banking system, international money market, international bond markets and international equity markets. Explains exchange rate behavior and examines currency derivatives including future and options on foreign exchanges, currency and interest swaps, and international portfolio investments. Students will evaluate strategies to hedge against foreign exposures, including economic, translation, transaction and cash flow exposures. They will also analyze and evaluate the impact of central banks and financial policies around the world. Prerequisite: BUS-321. [3 credits]

Women in Leadership: BUS-451 (3 credits)

Evaluates opportunities, issues and complexities that women face in the workplace. Analyzes differences between gender style and content in communications and behavior; critiques societal expectations of women and men in the workplace and in leadership roles; connects management and leadership precepts through the lens of gender; examines leadership attributes through nontraditional sources. Cross-listed as a graduate course to promote co-mentoring and networking. Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of chair applies to Women's College students only. Fulfills general education requirement in gender studies. [3 credits]

Business Practicum: BUS-461 (4 credits)

Connects academic learning with professional experience. Develops and reinforces business related skills, especially those needed by women in business today. Provides peer support to discuss and reflect on work-related issues. Students examine individual strengths and areas for improvement. Prerequisites: Business major with senior standing and permission of instructor. [4 credits]

Consumer Behavior: BUS-482 (3 credits)

Investigates consumer and organizational buyer behavior theory and its impact on the formulation of marketing strategy. Provides students with an opportunity to examine current buyer behavior theory including digital behavior and its use by markerts to influence consumers. Through the analysis of case studies, a thorough examination of current empirical buyer behavior research, students will design, implement and analyze buyer behavior mini-research projects. This class is designed as an interactive, collaborative seminar. Prerequisite: BUS-303, Principles of Marketing or permission of chair. [3 credits]

Integrated Marketing Communications: BUS-483 (3 credits)

Provides an overview of integrated marketing communications programs and the role they play in the implementation of successful marketing strategy. Students will examine the integration of traditional and non-traditional forms of communication. Traditional forms of communication include advertising, public relations and personal selling. Non-traditional forms of communication include online advertising, blogs, pod casts, social media and direct response marketing. Students will gain experience gathering and analyzing market data and developing an integrated marketing communications plan. Designed as a capstone experience. Prerequisite: BUS-303 Principles of Marketing and junior or senior standing. [3 credits]

Investment Management: BUS-484 (3 credits)

Emphasizes the foundation areas of investment management, including securities markets, stock and bond valuation, portfolio theory, the efficient market hypothesis and investment decision making. Students will complete a research project as well as build a diversified investment portfolio for a hypothetical client. Projects involve written and oral reports. Prerequisites BUS-225, BUS-321. [3 credits]

Human Resource Management: BUS-486 (3 credits)

Develops knowledge and skills in the human resource management functions of strategic human resource planning, job design, recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, employee relations and compensation and benefits. Focuses on the legal environment of human resource management and its impact on the entire human resource system. Enhances background students will need to make informed human resource decisions in organizations. Prerequisite: BUS-302. Cannot be taken if student took BUS-315. [3 credits]

Introduction to Microcomputer Applications: CST-130 (3 credits)

Emphasizes problem-solving skills for all disciplines, such as finding reliable information on the Internet, using spreadsheets to analyze information quantitatively, developing databases to store and retrieve information, creating visual computer presentations to accompany reports and designing Web pages. A final integrated project is required. Course focuses on computer competencies for the non-major. [3 credits]

Introduction to Macroeconomics: ECO-211 (3 credits)

Focuses on the United States economy and its relations with the world. Examines how interactions among consumers, businesses, government and the rest of the world impact economic growth, inflation, unemployment and business cycles. Investigates the impact of monetary and fiscal policies on the overall performance of the economy. Fulfills general education requirement in social science. [3 credits]

Introduction to Microeconomics: ECO-212 (3 credits)

Examines the manner in which prices are determined and limited resources are allocated efficiently through mastery of basic supply and demand. Considers the behavior of producers and consumers under various competitive conditions. Assesses the role of government in responding to market failures. Fulfills general education requirement in social science. [3 credits]

Money and Banking: ECO-402 (3 credits)

Examines the interactions between the United States financial system and the wider economy. Studies current developments in monetary policy and financial markets and explores the impact of money on the productive sector of the economy. Analyzes current economic, financial and international issues and tracks a variety of economic indicators to predict the actions of the Federal Reserve. Prerequisite: ECO-211 or permission of instructor. [3 credits]

Applied Algebra: MAT-103 (3 credits)

Focuses on fundamental algebraic concepts and the solution of real world problems through the use of basic mathematical models. Provides a thorough study of linear functions as well as an exploration of a variety of nonlinear functions. Data analysis and mathematical modeling focus on real world problems from a variety of fields including science, finance and business. Graphing calculator is used throughout the course. Intended for students of science, finance and business who have limited algebraic skills. The course may be taken to prepare for MAT-107 Elementary Functions or MAT-215 Basic Statistics. Prerequisite: minimum of ne year of high school algebra. Satisfies the general education requirement in mathematics. [3 credits]

Four-Year Plan (Women's College only)

Below is a sample program of study for the business major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor. See course description for prerequisites and corequisites.

Fall

Spring

First Year

NDMU-100 First Year Seminar

3

BUS-334 Teamwork and Negotiation

3

ECO-212 Microeconomics

3

ECO-211 Macroeconomics

3

ENG-101 College Writing

3

Foreign Language (if required)

3

BUS-105 Create Your Future: Introduction to Business and Entrepreneurship

What to Expect Studying at Notre Dame of Maryland University

Small classes, lectures and seminars provide a climate for individualized learning while consulting assignments, internships, simulations, and the case method offer opportunities to experience actual business situations.

Student Learning Outcomes

After completing the program, you will be able to:​

Integrate quantitative and qualitative skills to solve problems and support decision making;

Use economic, mathematical, statistical and probability concepts to analyze solve business problems.

Demonstrate critical thinking ability in identifying, analyzing and solving problems and in formulating and evaluating solutions.

Craft sustainable solutions to business problems using multiple frames of reference.

Demonstrate effective leadership skills in a team environment;

Display effective, ethical leader or member of a team and group interactions.

Exhibit skill in communication, cooperation, group process, conflict resolution, giving feedback, and negotiation to contribute to team effectiveness and efficiency in achieving organizational goals.

Communicate effectively in all business environments with different types of media;

What's Next: Audit Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers

Alum, NDMU Class of 2017Business

NDMU provided me with dedicated teachers and faculty members that have supported my academic desires and career goals. Their efforts and genuine concern for my success have contributed to all my achievements and most importantly, I have learned through their example.